By a regular Cobble Hill mom (who shall remain nameless)

Part One: The Woman, the Issue, the Revelation

I have told exactly one person—my closest mom friend—and I’ve sworn her to absolute secrecy. I didn’t want to tell anyone, but after she kept insisting that I must really have “found happiness” in spite of the relentless wrinkle- and eye-bag-producing circumstances that characterize all mothers’ lives, my conscience began to trouble me. I broke down. “Look, lady, I haven’t found happiness, okay?” I said. “I’ve found Botox and Restylane.”

Now, let me first make it clear that it was not part of my plan for aging with dignity to inject my facial epidermis with botulism or synthetic fillers. If you had asked me a few years ago about such cosmetic treatments, I would have scoffed smugly. But that was a few years ago. I am now almost 42, I now have three children (one of whom is under 2—and not a good sleeper), I’m a writer (not a stress-free line of work), and I looked every bit as plum tuckered-out as I still am. And, frankly, it was getting to me.

It was a flat-out bummer to look in the rear-view mirror and spy the crows’ feet atomizing from the sides of my eyes like icicles on a frosty window; the marionette lines grooving each side of my mouth; the sour-puss “11” festering between my eyebrows; the “five-head” to which my forehead had resigned itself. In a word: depressing.

I’m no Bergdorf’s blonde, or even brunette, but I like to keep my esthetic faculties about me. I didn’t need to look like I was in my 20s, but I didn’t want to look like a cadaver either. And I did look decidedly cadaverous.

So, after I’d spent a fortune that I could not afford on luxe face creams with exotic ingredients (one even had venom), I had a revelation: None of these work, and they never will. They may improve the texture of my skin, but there’s no way that they can do a damned thing for serious wrinkles and lines. The only thing that is really going to work is going under, and into, the skin. Period.

So, I did what I always do when I have a revelation: I launched an exhaustive line of research and investigation.

Take advantage of our Fall “Face” Special: Treat Yourself to a Fresh Look!

NEXT WEEK: WHAT I FOUND OUT

Recently, I operated on a patient who had silicone injected into her upper cheeks to give her an appearance of high cheek bones.  Over the years however, the silicone had migrated and ended up on the bottom of her cheeks, making her face look boxy and unnatural.

She was sent to have an ultrasound to evaluate those collections and ensure that the silicone was not scattered in multiple small globules but in fact was one collection which could be extracted.  The ultrasound revealed a discreet collection in each cheek about 3-4cm in size, encased in a thin capsule. 

Based on the results of the ultrasound the patient was taken to the operating room and the silicon was removed through small incisions from the inside of the mouth. 

Luckily for this patient the silicone could be removed without causing any damage to the facial muscles, nerves and soft tissues. Had the silicone spread through the tissues in multiple small collections, the solution would not have been so simple. 

When considering the use of micro-droplet silicone for facial augmentation, knowing that the procedure is not FDA approved, please ensure that the injections are done only by a physician who has been properly trained and is using this product long enough that he can show you before and after pictures of previous patients. Furthermore, make sure that you are well aware of potential risks and complications and that your doctor is able to deal with them should they arise.

An alternative to the micro-droplet silicone is the use of HA fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane or Perlane.  Although the results are not permanent, many of the potential risks and complications of using silicone are eliminated.   For a permanent solution, the use of solid silicone implants for cheek or chin augmentation is a much safer alternative.

If you would like more information regarding the use of micro-droplet silicone, please visit our web site at www.newlooknewlife.com

There are many ways to enhance one’s lips, ranging from surgical methods to simple injections.  Some methods require some down time and some are virtually painless, requiring no incisions or foreign materials.

In our clinic we prefer to use facial fillers like Restylane to enhance the patient’s lips.  This particular method requires no time away from work, can be performed in the office and requires no incisions.  Although it is not a permanent treatment, it lasts anywhere from 5 to 8 months, the results are immediate and natural and with minimal risks for complications.  Most patients choose to have numbing medicine (which wears out in about one to two hours) for both upper and lower lips for greater comfort.

Another method which we utilize in our clinic is the use of micro-droplet silicone.  It is important to know that although this product has been approved by FDA to use in cases of detached retina, the use of silicone in the lips is “OFF LABEL”.   Just like the facial fillers, the silicone injections have no down time, can be done in the office and have a very low risk for complications.  The biggest difference is that it is a permanent treatment and the results are not immediate.   On average it takes 4-6 treatments for the patient to achieve the desired fullness of their lips, and the treatments must be performed no less than four weeks apart.   The silicone is injected in minute amounts, and the body reacts to the foreign material encasing the silicone spheres in scar tissue and collagen which makes the lips fuller.  The result is permanently fuller, soft and natural looking lips.  However, one must remember that with this particular method of lip enhancement; “Patients is Virtue”.  Using this method, one can never end up with lips that are too big or unnatural.

The more invasive methods of lip enhancement involve small incisions on both sides of the lip and utilization of materials such as Gortex (same material used in rain coats).   The result of this procedure is permanent, however, patients are more likely to experience prolonged swelling and bruising, and if infection occurs, the graft will likely have to be removed.

If lip augmentation is something you have been thinking about, feel free to call our clinic for a consultation.  We will be happy to provide you with additional information regarding these procedures.

Victoria Karlinsky-Bellini, MD FACS

71 Carroll Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
T: 718 288 5519 F: 718 797 9796
ask@newlooknewlife.org